What Do You Know About Breast Cancer?

More than 3 million U.S. women with a history of the disease are alive today, mainly because of early detection. The 5-year survival rate is 100% if the cancer is found before it spreads.

A. TrueB. False

2. Older women are more likely to develop breast cancer.

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Breast cancer is more common in women over 50 years old. But women of any age can develop this disease.

A. TrueB. False

3. Most breast lumps are cancer.

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Most breast lumps are not cancer. Still it's important to see a healthcare provider about any changes you notice in your breasts. You may need testing to be certain that you don't have cancer.

A. TrueB. False

4. It's OK to use deodorant on the day you have a mammogram.

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Using deodorant can make the X-ray hard to read. You also should not use any lotions or powders under your arms or on your breasts that day.

A. TrueB. False

5. Women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage a day increase their risk for breast cancer.

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Studies have clearly shown the use of alcohol increases the risk of getting breast cancer. One drink a day may cause a small increased risk. Two to 5 drinks a day increases the risk to about 1.5 times the risk of women who drink no alcohol.

A. TrueB. False

6. Women who have their first child before age 30 and breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer.

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The risk for breast cancer increases somewhat for women who have children later in life or who have never had children. Research has suggested that breastfeeding for longer than 18 months may slightly decrease breast cancer risk.

8. Breast cancer can be treated by surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

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Often more than one type of treatment is needed.

A. TrueB. False

9. Starting at age 30, women should have a mammogram every 1 or 2 years.

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Mammography is an important tool for detecting breast cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. But the benefits and limits of mammography vary based on factors like age and personal risk. Experts have different recommendations for mammography. Currently, the USPSTF recommends screening every 2 years for women ages 50 to 74. The task force says the choice of getting a mammogram every 2 years should start at age 40. The ACS recommends yearly screening for women ages 45 to 54, then a choice of screening every 1 or 2 years for women ages 55 and older. They also suggest that starting at age 40, women should talk with their healthcare provider about their personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start getting mammograms or how often they should get them.

A. TrueB. False

10. A woman's chances of developing breast cancer are higher if her mother, a sister, or daughter had it.

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The ACS says women who have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer have about double the risk. Women whose close blood relatives from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family had breast cancer also have an increased risk for the disease.

A. TrueB. False

11. It's safe for women to use hormone therapy for a prolonged time during menopause.

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Studies have shown that long-term use of combined estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy (HT) increases the risk for breast cancer. HT may also increase the risk for heart disease, blood clots, and strokes. The risk for breast cancer drops back to normal 5 years after a woman stops HT. Taking estrogen alone does not seem to increase the risk for breast cancer. If HT is needed, it's best to use it at the lowest dose needed to control symptoms and for as short a time as possible.

A. TrueB. False

12. Regular exercise can reduce your risk for breast cancer.

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Studies show that exercise reduces the risk, but how much exercise is not known. One study found that 75 minutes to 2.5 hours per week of brisk walking reduced the risk by 18%.